Epic fantasy
The Wise Man's Fear
The second day of an innkeeper's tale continues the story of a gifted young man's rise from a poor student to a famed figure. He travels beyond the university, serves a noble patron and learns from unusual teachers.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2011
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 1007
- Format
- Book 2 of 2 in The Kingkiller Chronicle
Read this if you want more of the first book's lyrical, meandering storytelling and its charismatic narrator.
Skip this if you want plot to move forward, because it wanders and the series is still unfinished.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about The Wise Man's Fear
- What is The Wise Man's Fear about?
- The second day of an innkeeper's tale continues the story of a gifted young man's rise from a poor student to a famed figure. He travels beyond the university, serves a noble patron and learns from unusual teachers.
- Who should read The Wise Man's Fear?
- Read it if you want more of the first book's lyrical, meandering storytelling and its charismatic narrator. Skip it if you want plot to move forward, because it wanders and the series is still unfinished.
- How long and how fast is The Wise Man's Fear?
- It is a slow-paced, long read of about 1007 pages, first published in 2011.
- Does The Wise Man's Fear have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Death.
- Can I borrow The Wise Man's Fear for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Wise Man's Fear; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Wise Man's Fear?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Name of the Wind, The Lies of Locke Lamora, Assassin's Apprentice.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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